Coaching Leaders: Learning To Lead

Organisations regularly fail to set their leaders up for success.

When it comes to development, up and coming managers and leaders themselves are just as responsible and culpable. Coaching provides the opportunity and impetus for growth and change.

Source: Unsplash – Ethan Sykes

The statements above may seem confronting, yet the evidence continues to present itself in organisations throughout the world. Few people I know personally and professionally feel that they are supported and developed consistently well by their leaders. Those who do should feel very lucky. Leaders who have sought development and coaching are significantly more likely to engage their team members. Coaching leaders are also more likely to develop and maintain solid relationships and connections with those they work with. This is important as employee engagement rates continue to fall or at best, remain stagnant.

According to the recent Gallup State of the Global Workplace report, 85% of employees are not engaged or actively disengaged at work. The economic consequences of this global “norm” are approximately $7 trillion in lost productivity.

Eighteen percent (of employees globally) are actively disengaged in their work and workplace, while 67% are “not engaged.”

This latter group makes up the majority of the workforce — they are not your worst performers, but they are indifferent to your organization. They give you their time, but not their best effort nor their best ideas. They likely come to work wanting to make a difference — but nobody has ever asked them to use their strengths to make the organization better. (1)

Becoming an effective leader does not happen by accident. Leadership and management coaching support provides the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Skill and capability development, along with gaining an understanding of how to work with different people are important attributes. That makes sense, however, possessing the right skills is only part of the story.

Other critical factors are just as important. Knowing the right question to ask at the right time. Genuinely listening and delving to get to the nub of the matter. Learning how to influence. Caring about others as much as yourself, are all vital leadership traits. Beyond standard development, how else can you obtain the right skills and behaviours?

By building on the skills listed above you will earn the right to lead others. Deciding that this is your path is a great first step. Too many of us fail to challenge our comfort zones and follow through on what we believe and who we are. This sort of compromise leads to a lack of contribution and fulfilment.

What’s the secret? It’s this: we rose to our leadership positions because we were good at a certain skill not because we were skilled at leading others. We were promoted because we personally created great results. And, now that our job has shifted into a leadership role, we realise that we’re responsible to do the one thing we were never actually trained to do—lead, inspire, and motivate other people to become their best.

I never had training on how to be a leader, and frankly leadership is earned not given so I’m not sure it’s something that can be learned in a classroom,” said Matt Rizzetta, CEO and Founder of N6A, a public relations and social media agency based in New York and Toronto. “I came from an agency background and couldn’t understand why so many failed to see that the lifeblood of a services business is its people.

If people are what makes your business tick, then that needs to be the first place you look to invest and innovate. You need to see the correlation between the service product and the internal culture. The two should be interchangeable.

If you create a unique and rewarding internal culture for employees you’ll likely create a unique service experience for customers, and there will be performance benefits for both. That’s why I started my own company—not because I thought I was a leader, but because I knew that, by creating a better environment for employees we would create a better product for clients, and ultimately everybody would win. (2) Developing effective coaching skills and capability is one way to positively influence the culture and environment.

If you see this type of time and effort as a cost, not an investment, you will never commit fully. And you will truly struggle to influence and lead others.

It is imperative to spend the time upfront to identify and recruit the most appropriate and effective leaders. The time spent getting this right is an investment, not a cost. Get it wrong however, and it will feel like a price you have to pay for far too long.

Dedicating suitable levels of effort in developing leaders internally, prior to the opportunity. This rarely happens in reality, yet is one of the most simple and effective ways to confirm suitability and set up the new leader for success. Success for the leader, team and organisation.

Seek additional understanding and knowledge from whoever and wherever you can. Reinforcement of your existing understanding; exposure to new ideas and thinking; whilst broadening your mindset and skills comes from many sources. Seek them out. Be deliberate.

Being a leader can be challenging. It is also often rewarding, both personally and professionally. However, it takes effort, persistence and time, which it seems many people struggle to understand and apply. There are no short-cuts, but there is opportunity. (3)

The opportunity to improve individual and team leadership is available to most. The chance to make leadership development a priority and expectation within your organisational culture can make a real difference to whether people bother. Leadership is not a negotiable asset. We are all looking for more from our workplaces and our leaders and bosses are the linchpin to make this happen. What does this look like?

Google released two projects over the past few years that provide evidence of where our focus should be. Project Aristotle found that the firm’s best team’s exhibited a range of soft skills. Top ideas often come from so-called B-teams comprising people who were not always the smartest in the room, but excelled in team based environments.

Along with mentoring, leadership and workplace coaching is a great asset to receive and give.

Project Oxygen research in 2013 found that STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) expertise was the last of eight traits in the company’s top employees. The seven most important were soft skills:

coaching

communicating

listening

possessing insights into others

being empathetic and supportive

critical thinking and problem-solving

ability to make connections (3)

There is no doubt that the most effective and respected leaders in any role or organisation are those who recognise that they are not in their role because they have all the answers.

They are honest in their own self-assessment and seek the same of others. They are successful because they understand their own strengths and limitations, possessing the self-awareness and desire to surround themselves with a team who have supporting strengths and skill-sets that contribute to the effectiveness of the team.

Effective leaders are accountable to themselves and take on the responsibilities for their role, inputs and outcomes willingly and with purpose. This is not a one way street. Organisations must support their current and future leaders and continue to provide relevant and genuine development and growth opportunities. (5)

As we’ve travelled the globe and spoken to leaders from all different industries we’ve come to find the best leaders are open and honest about one simple thing—that they’re in their position not because they were necessarily skilled or credentialed at leading people, but instead because they sincerely cared about other people. They cared about helping others become the best they could be.

This is the one thing leaders need to understand—that a title doesn’t mean you know more, that years on the job don’t always mean you should be making all decisions, and that cheering for your employee’s success is the number one thing you can do as a leader to inspire greatness.

“The question every leader should ask their people is, ‘How can I help you become your best?’ instead of ‘How can you help me?’” (2)

Coaching your employees encourages self-reflection and accountability: two topics that are commonly raised in my coaching and mentoring discussions. A recent article by Amy Bach consolidates these key points. For anyone in a position that involves leading others, the ultimate decision remains.

Will you choose to focus on being a competent manager, or take up the more complex but also more rewarding challenge of committing to being a truly influential leader?

Leaders achieve through others. They develop, empower and motivate people, shape team culture, display courage and resilience in the face of adversity: and underpin all of this with something that cannot be taught, but can certainly be chosen. Lead with passion, authenticity and a commitment to making a positive impact in the workplace. (3)

A genuine leader and manager will read this and feel a connection with the words. Not simply as a concept, but recognised through action. It is too easy to continue on the path of acceptance or avoidance. You have a choice. It ultimately comes down to your answer to the question: what kind of leader do I want to be?

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I have been working with CoachStation (Steve) for 6 months and appreciate the passion, care and accountability he demonstrates – Steve is an excellent coach. … More I have (and continue to) grow through the process. The first tangible benefit I got was understanding more about myself, my values and how they contribute to delivering strong leadership, setting an example for others regardless of role. I have grown and tested new approaches between sessions, achieving different results (often improved, as well as maximising learning opportunities about myself, process, my team and my peers). Committing to a coaching program with Steve has helped me to be a more effective leader. Knowing I have an unbiased advocate for my success has elevated my ability to deal with complex situations, driving me to have more robust and balanced analysis. I push myself to honestly reflect and posed more detailed/specific/contrarian questions before being pushed – knowing the further I can get myself, the more I position myself for the next session to engage with Steve and take it the next step to support action and outcomes.If you are considering investing in a coach, Steve is an exceptional choice. It’s not magic, it takes work, tenacity and commitment. It’s very likely they’ll be some challenges mixed in (life and business do that!).Steve has added a lot of value in a short period of time – I started the first session with a commitment to go all in and left knowing I’d made a great choice. Every subsequent session started with outcomes to share and concluded leaving me energised and ready to continue to the next level.Steve, thank you for your skill, generosity and absolute commitment, I look forward to continuing to build on my leadership capability and share future successes.

I learnt a lot from Steve in these past months. He helps and guides me to find out a lot about myself that I was not aware of before we met. These findings help… More my communication and relationship with others. Steve opens my mind in reflecting about myself. I will continue to benefit from this technique. Thank you Steve!

I have been fortunate to be able to participate in a leadership coaching program with CoachStation for the past 18 months. I have completed management and mentoring… More programs in the past, but none have been close to being as effective as Steve's program. For me the key differences lie in the personlised approach and the genuine care Steve takes in getting to know your situation, challenges and aspirations. Steve is an amazing coach! From that platform, the program Steve designs for you really takes form and the journey becomes one that engages and challenges you as a manager and mentor. I recommend CoachStation without hesitation.Wishing you all the best Steve.Sylvia Lourey

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I am always in awe of Steve’s commitment and ability to make a tangible difference for others and have seen this happen to all that he has coached, led and mentored.

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Anyone who is looking to improve any facet of their professional life would be well served embarking on a coaching and mentoring journey. Steve’s influence on our organisation and my life has been incredible. I highly recommend CoachStation.

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Steve from CoachStation has had a significant positive impact on my professional life. I have been lucky enough to have accessed many professional development opportunities throughout my career, however can honestly say that the time I spend with Steve has been the most beneficial and rewarding.

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You have been an exceptional role model for me and it’s your skills, your passion and your desire to make a difference for others that has set me up for every success in the future.

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Excellent facilitation, meaningful content and examples provided. Focus is on individual and team improvement – positive focus. Gaining a greater appreciation of my strengths and how I can utilise them better. Also the strengths of team members.

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Steve is an energetic and patient coach who uses his skills to make a difference in business. Steve’s deep empathy and commitment to doing the right thing for people and organisations stands out. Importantly, Steve is passionate about developing people…his legacy, style and self have been the subject of a number of discussions in the team since leaving. His influence was significant, and he left a lasting impression …

Andrew, Complaints and Hardship Manager

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Steve from CoachStation has had a profound impact on my business and personal life. Steve’s genuine and personal investment in my development helped me identify the type of leader I aspire to be. Steve equipped me with a myriad of practical techniques which include transforming strategies into sustainable progress. I can’t thank Steve enough.

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The workshop was well-paced – Steve is pragmatic, professional, powerful and positive. A great balance of delivery of information, open-floor discussion and references to other concepts – liked the ‘flow’, ending with our actions.

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I have completed management and mentoring programs in the past, but none have been close to being as effective as Steve’s program. For me the key differences lie in the personalised approach and the genuine care Steve takes in getting to know your situation, challenges and aspirations. Steve is an amazing coach!

Sylvia L, Supervisor

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The StrengthsFinder workshop was an eye-opener into where we should be spending our time and effort. Steve is an experienced facilitator who adapted to our group needs brilliantly.

Aaron Snell, Sales Manager

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Through your leadership skills and the manner by which you conduct yourself, and the passion you display in coaching and empowering others, with an unwavering focus on our personal and professional development, the value you have added to my life is immeasurable.

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One of the best courses I’ve done. Challenged me to think how can I leverage more of what my strengths are and provided a plan to do that. Excellent facilitator – created a framework which we all then shaped to our organisation.

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Steve leaves behind a high performing contact centre, scarcely recognisable from the centre he was introduced to 2 years ago. He has in fact, delivered on an 18 month plan in 12 months.

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Using a great balance of drive, humour, directness and humility Steve enabled me to be myself and therefore take real ownership of my development for the first time.

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Steve has added a lot of value in a short period of time. Every subsequent session started with outcomes to share and concluded leaving me energised and ready to continue to the next level. Steve, thank you for your skill, generosity and absolute commitment, I look forward to continuing to build on my leadership capability and share future successes.

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Steve encourages and empowers you to answer the hard questions about yourself, for yourself, while offering guidance and caring support. It can be confronting. It’s not easy. From experience, answering these questions honestly is absolutely liberating; I am personally and professionally enriched. Talk to Steve at CoachStation, it will probably be the best conversation you ever have.

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I am now able to more effectively manage stressful situations, while continuing to be able to provide a high level of support to my team in relation to helping them achieve their performance goals.
Steve has transformed my life, my thought processes and I believe that I am a better person and a better leader!!

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You Inspire – You Encourage – You Challenge! All of which has helped make me a stronger person – and I sincerely thank you for that.

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I am honoured to have worked with CoachStation and urge any leader to speak with Steve if you want to develop yourself and your teams. CoachStation’s approach is extremely professional, with a value add mindset…which results in a customised approach for future self development. CoachStation is a true ‘business partner’!!!!

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The “values” assessment was awesome. I’ve never really done a values assessment before and this was an eye opener in terms of what is important to me and how it relates to the emotions I’m feeling when working with others.

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Steve is a strongly principled individual who has led by example. He has established strong relationships, both internally and externally and was asked to wear many hats: leader, consultant, contact centre manager and trainer. He has handled all these roles with great professionalism.

Gary Leonard, General Manager, Toyota Finance

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Steve is very easy to communicate with, patient and very understanding. He has a real sense of confidence and trust which makes it easy to be open with him.

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Steve’s passion, sincerity and professionalism have truly made a difference to our workplace. He has brought upon change through coaching and effective leadership and has set the foundations for continuous improvement.

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Excellent facilitation, excellent course. I would definitely recommend Steve…(he) very quickly understood us as a team – our style, humour and incorporating that into sessions while keeping us focused and action-oriented.